Welcome to 52 in 52, a look at the vast world of Marvel Unlimited. I will be reading and sharing my thoughts each week regarding a different single arc or event from somewhere within the world of Marvel Unlimited, trying to find things I haven’t read that are relevant to the current comic or cinematic landscape, or completely irrelevant and just fun to read.

One year. 52 tales. One per week. Marvel Unlimited.

Let’s do this.

On the docket this week: AXIS: Hobgoblin *Warning, there be spoilers ahead*

AXIS: HOBGOBLIN #1-3
Written by Kevin Shinick
Art by Javier Rodriguez
Release Date: October – December 2014

AXIS….the sort-of event that happened not too long ago was widely considered to be a dud. A solid Uncanny Avengers event? Maybe. A stellar line-wide event? Nope. It just didn’t hit the mark with me, or most, but unbeknownst to me, there was a diamond in the rough. It was Hobgoblin, and yes…I’m as shocked as you are.

Kevin Shinick channels all the best aspects of Marvel’s lighter titles like Superior Foes, Squirrel Girl, Howard The Duck and other titles that can make you chuckle while still telling a story. The very concept of this book is a riot, and the execution is on point. This Hobgoblin is completely likable despite his obvious mistreatment of people, and the fact that a character like Hobgoblin could be in this situation is great. A motivational speaker hyping people up to be Q-list heroes? Hobgoblin? That’s just fun.

What I have to commend, possibly more than anything, is that the dynamic duo of Kevin Shinick and Javier Rodriguez used their three issues perfectly. This isn’t a 6 issue story. This isn’t even a 5 issue story. It’s a damn good three issue arc that does what it needs to, and does it well. Shinick let’s Javier Rodriguez do his masterful work and boy, is it damn good. Like….wow. Anyone who has been reading Spider-Woman knows. Javier Rodriguez is a beast and I have never seen Hobgoblin look this damn good. His work tells so much story and brings an element to this tale that next to no other artist could. He’s a wizard in these three issues, and the fact that his work wasn’t applauded more while this comic was out pisses me off. I had to wait far too long before reading this than I should have.

I’m not going to spoil much this time, because this one is a fun one to experience for yourself and it’s only 3 issues, so it isn’t going to take much of your time. Read it – it’s honestly the best thing I can remember from AXIS.

On deck: I’m sure we’ll find something!